he leads by eight points among likely voters. the president holds a smaller lead in the key state of florida. he's ahead by four points among likely voters and nine points by registered voters. romney's campaign is downplaying these numbers. they say they trust their own polling. >>> this morning an expected vote on a potential rate hike for pepco. last night dozens of customers upset about the possible hike staged a protest at headquarters in downtown d.c. if approved, the plan would increase bills by $5 a month in maryland. pepco also expected to vote itself on a contract proposal for some of its workers today. if the deal is rejected, union workers could go on strike. >>> news 4's angie goff is following breaking news from the news 4 live desk. angie, good morning. >> good morning. >>> just into the news 4 news room, new video of the attacks targeting the command buildings in syria. you can hear the gunshots. they rang out in the streets of damascus after the blast. the bombs, one of which officials believed was planted inside